I understand that some people that come to Thailand only teach English as a means to staying in Thailand and 'living the dream'. I also understand that some teach english to stay in Thailand and be a SLAGDOG monger, ( possibly already said that in the 'living the dream' comment!).
However it is extremely rare for somebody to admit teaching TEFL and not getting chewed out by other members of the forum, surely everybody can admit that there are good ones out there.
I taught TEFL for about 6 months when I took a gap year from uni which I would like to think helped me, along with staying in Thailand, grow up enough to realise that I was wasting my time at uni and thus made me try harder in my final year to ensure I passed my degree.
It also enabled me to try teaching which I had never thought of as a career as I had disliked school when I had been there. Once I realised I enjoyed teaching it has now led me to enrol on a PGCE course starting this September.
Granted most TEFL jobs pay a rubbish salary but if people don't need the money or can survive on the low salary it brings it then what is the problem? Not everybody needs to earn a high salary and be so materialistic...